He said one of the objectives of the 1996 Order is to safeguard children by restricting access to licensed premises underpinned by criminal sanction for breach.

It prohibits minors from being in any part of licensed premises which contains a bar or is used exclusively or mainly for the sale of intoxicating liquor.

Claims that alcohol-free events for children are exempted were rejected.

Under licensing legislation in England and Wales an offence is only committed if an unaccompanied child under 16 is on the premises when they are open for the purpose of selling alcohol.

Mr Justice Treacy noted that in October 2005 the Department of Social Development published a consultation document which included a proposal to remove the general prohibition against young persons being present in licensed premises.

The court was told, however, that those proposals have not yet been taken forward by the Executive.

Dismissing the appeal, Mr Justice Treacy said: "The evidence establishes that the appellant put a considerable effort into ensuring that no alcohol is consumed at the event.

"That, however, does not provide an answer to the fact that under current law it is an offence for a person under 18 during the permitted hours to be on licensed premises used exclusively or mainly for the sale of alcohol." ends